Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Create a "fake" Facebook-style page for anyone or anything! It's a good idea to do a little planning ahead of time, then just follow the directions on the landing page. Give your page a name and add an image from your computer. (They insert an image for you if you do not select one, however, you can change the image by clicking on it and selecting one from your computer.) Of course you will need to use a Creative Commons or other copyright-safe image. You can also add videos and links, edit the profile, and your page is almost ready. You must add at least one post and one friend to save work. Under the "Friends" block, you can add blocks such as Family, Major Speeches, etc. Choose "save" from the options on top left side of the page, enter a password, and your unique URL for your Fakebook page appears. Be sure to copy and save this link as it is the only time it is given in the setup process. If you are prepared with images and links, page creation is quick and easy with a small learning curve. Share your Fakebook page with the link to your page.
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tag(s): back to school (55), book reports (28), creative writing (124), digital storytelling (154), firstday (22), social networking (61)

Your spoken words are instantly changed to written text. Just click on the microphone and speak. Follow simple directions and immediately begin to dictate. As soon as speech is ready, it appears in red, and you push ok. Corrections are suggested in red. If your speech is not recognized, there is an alternatives button to help you dictate correctly. You can also click on the speaker button to hear the written words played back to you. Click the blue arrow to move the text down to the larger text box. There you can store several phrases or sentences together. Choose to print, email, or tweet your message. Talk Typer is also available in a variety of languages. Be sure to speak slowly and clearly. This is best used with short phrases or sentences.
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tag(s): communication (129), differentiation (84), note taking (36), speech (69), writing (325)

Looking for some new free clipart to add to projects, presentations, and websites? With over 10,000 images and a keyword search function, IconBug makes locating and using clipart easy. Simply click on the image to download. With Mac, the image automatically downloads as a PNG. With a PC, you need to choose to save the image. Either way, it is easy to use and there is no need to worry about image copyright. Each image page specifically tells you whether icons/clip art are free for personal use, for commercial use, or both. Note that many do require that you give credit via link back to their site.
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tag(s): clip art (11), creative commons (28), images (263)

Handspeak is an online American Sign Language dictionary and tutorial resource. Find literature in American Sign Language as well as research, kid talk, finger spelling, video clips, and news. Stay current with the ASL word of the Day and the Phrase of the week. Jump into the different leveled lessons to learn manners, greetings, and numbers.
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tag(s): communication (129), sign language (10)

Looking for resources to use on your interactive whiteboard? If so, this site is a tremendous resource for all whiteboard users, not just those with a Promethean Board. View, search, and download from over 60,000 resources in all subject areas and grade levels. Use the Resources tab to search by state standard, content, grade level, or resource type. Register on the site to enable download ability as well as many other features such as saving favorites, reviewing resources, asking questions on the technical forum, following specific users, and uploading your own resources. Each resource includes a short description, grade level recommendation, file format, and size. Another great feature is the slide show included with each download for previewing different pages used on each chart.

tag(s): iwb (31), numbers (120), preK (270), resources (83)

Find your way to the "home of the best science demonstrations on the web." Included are videos, interviews about chemistry, physics, and science and "Extras." Find videos such Walking on Water, The Heisenberg Uncertainty, The Sweat Episode, The Bernoulli Effect, Inertia, Pendulums, Protein Folding and many others. Interviews with scientists give a clearer explanation of scientific concepts. If interested, subscribe by rss feed, email, or iTunes. Videos are mp4 files, so you may need to load a plug-in or "allow" your browser to play them.

tag(s): electricity (61), light (56), matter (45), motion (47), newton (21), optics (11), scientific method (48), waves (14), weather (160)

Join Word GameTime for language arts, geography, math, and typing activities. Find a variety of games including brain games, crosswords, vocabulary, world capitals, and spelling. Worksheets and educational videos offer further explorations.
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tag(s): capitals (16), countries (73), grammar (137), keyboarding (28), logic (161), reading comprehension (149), spelling (98), states (124)

Learn about American Sign Language. Join Dr. Bill Vicars at the American Sign Language University. Find resources and free classes (videos) in American Sign Language. The FREE resources included are a dictionary, numbers, jokes, numbers, wallpaper, fingerspelling art for signs or posters, and lessons. Email is available for questions. Find information for presentations in American Sign Language. There are also workbook pages, practice cards, and quizzes to help guide your learning.
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tag(s): sign language (10)

EasyBib, the automatic bibliography and citation maker, instantly creates and formats citations for your sources in MLA format. Cite websites, books, newspapers, journals, and data bases correctly in seconds. All you have to do is enter your website URL, or the title or ISBN number of the book, journal, etc. in the form. You can copy/paste citations from Easy Bib into a document to create your works cited list. You will need to alphabetize the citations yourself. The paid version offers APA and Chicago/Turabian style and additional features. Pick up the latest tips and tricks in their research guide. Review the writing and citation process in an instant. and review citation rules for various styles using the reference guides.
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tag(s): citations (33)

MathFlix is a resource of over 1000 videos sorted by topic. The site also includes over 400 downloadable worksheets that reinforce concepts and provide additional practice. The videos themselves are hosted at many different locations on the web, but this index makes it easy to find them by math topic. Enter the site by choosing either the "I am a teacher" or "I am a student" icon. The teacher link lists topics by standards and content within each standard. Choose from Number & Operations, Algebra, Technology, and more. Each of these links leads to further subcategories listing video titles to view. The student link leads to clickable images or words, including topic and subcategory. Choose one of these links to go directly to the list of videos available for that topic. Be sure not to miss the links at the bottom of the page. They aren't quite as obvious as information for the videos; however, they include additional information relating to Common Core, assessment, and curriculum support.

tag(s): area (53), charts and graphs (171), decimals (85), estimation (33), fractions (160), inequalities (25), logic (161), money (113), numbers (120), patterns (61), percent (59), perimeter (20), polls and surveys (49), probability (99), problem solving (233), statistics (121), symmetry (26), variables (14), whole numbers (9)

These writing prompts are not as boring as the title sounds. Luke Neff has put together images and prompts that will truly inspire you and make you think. There are 57 pages full of creative, interesting ideas to explore. Click archive in the upper right to see a page of thumbnails of writing prompts by month. This allows you to view more prompts in less time.

tag(s): creative writing (124), expository writing (31), persuasive writing (58), writers workshop (31), writing (325), writing prompts (61)

This short article contains all the information you need to get started using QR codes in the classroom. The blog post begins with reasons to use QR codes and moves on to three parts: getting ready to use QR codes, teaching students to use the codes, and ideas for using codes in the classroom. One notable section explains common problems encountered using QR codes; this is an excellent resource to look through if you have difficulty at any time. Be sure to read the comments at the bottom of the post for some additional ideas for using QR codes in the classroom.
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tag(s): qr codes (18)

Explore this huge collection of Youtube videos on various aspects of teaching the English language to international students. Real teachers narrate the videos which include three levels and many subject areas. Included are the normal topics like speaking and pronunciation, grammar, writing, and vocabulary, as well as other helpful topics like test prep, tips, expressions, and slang. Most have a followup quiz to see how well you understand the lesson concepts. The videos are not particularly dynamic, mostly just views of a teacher standing and explaining. Topics include material appropriate for adult learners, such as pregnancy and having a baby. K-12 teachers will wan to select for their students.
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tag(s): grammar (137), grammar review (31), idioms (30), pronunciation (34), slang (15)

Type a message and Lalo.li will read it aloud using a voice synthesizer. Adjust message quality using the word gap, speed, amplitude, and pitch icons. Just click on the circle and turn to change the quality. Copy and paste the URL to share your audio message or use links to share via social networking such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Here is a sample . At the time of this review, the site only worked using Firefox or Chrome.

tag(s): communication (129), text to speech (20)

Math Game Time is a free website with math videos, worksheets, and games. Find topics listed by grade level (PreK - 7th grade) or concept. You can make your games public or private, allowing "outsiders" to play against you or inviting opponents you choose. Join the newsletter to keep up with the latest from this site. Apps for this site are available for purchase on tablets, but the web games are free. They require Flash, so web versions will not work on iOS devices using Safari.
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tag(s): addition (129), decimals (85), division (98), fractions (160), multiplication (122), numbers (120), operations (72), preK (270), printables (36), ratios (47), subtraction (110)

The Successful Web Reader is an interesting guide loaded with links for anyone who would like to improve and speed up their Web page reading. Just as with print, we read on the Web for a variety of reasons. Whether it is to surf and browse for information, or to interact with people and texts around the world, the criteria for success is dependent upon skills and strategies that experienced online readers use as an approach to reading digital/electronic text. Find out how to take advantage of the functionality of your browser and make the most out of your visits to the Web with the helpful suggestions you will find on this site.

tag(s): reading comprehension (149), reading strategies (96)

Here you will find a plethora of ideas for students to report about the books they've read. Watch your students' appetite for reading soar with this collection of creative book report ideas, complete with instructions. From edible book reports to video projects, there is something to spark everyone's interest and keep them engaged.
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tag(s): book reports (28), critical thinking (127), writing (325)

Create a live Internet radio show -- free -- with Spreaker! This super easy online tool creates podcasts instantly for you to share with your own URL, on Facebook, Google +, Soundcloud, X (formerly Twitter), or add to the Spreaker website. Follow others, or invite others to follow your podcasts. With a click of a button you are creating a live podcast. There is a free version and a more deluxe premium version. This review is for the free version.
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tag(s): communication (129), podcasts (108), radio (20)

Enjoy a cartoon and an opportunity to guess what idiom it represents. Click on one of five buttons for more information including a hint, the answer, the definition, a note on usage, the origin of the idiom, and a sentence using the idiom. The site is in blog format, so for more examples and activities with idioms, viewers just scroll down to see more. There is also a game featuring multiple choice guesses to reinforce usage of the idiom. New idioms are added regularly. SInce this is a blog, there are comments and other social features, such as clicking to "Like" a post. Public interactions appear in comments, so monitor before projecting or sharing.

tag(s): figurative language (17), idioms (30)

Oolone visual search engine searches the web and shows the results as thumbnail images of each webpage. Oolone is ideal for those who are visual learners. (If you often recognize sites by their look rather than their words, this tool will hep you find the site you recall but cannot name.) Although this search engine appears "plain vanilla," its best features aren't obvious until you start using it. Hover over the thumbnails to get an enlarged view of each site without having to leave your search results. This allows you to spend less time on sites that don't fit your needs. Oolone doesn't track you so no ads appear.

tag(s): search engines (48)